Siena Rose Cook
Siena Rose Cook (she/her) worked with Misipawistik Cree Nation (MCN) addressing the importance of connecting ininiw kiskinomakewin (Cree education) protocols into the MCN Health Authority Doula program. Focusing on oskawāsis (first-year) Cree teachings she looked into the importance of revitalization and created a calendar for new mothers/parents.
Report
This report and final creative output highlight the importance of Indigenous birth helpers, the necessity to revive birth as ceremony, and how implementing traditional teachings into early stages of life is vital to the healing and reconciliation of Indigenous peoples of Canada. Addressing the importance of connecting ininiw kiskinomakewin (Cree education) protocols into the Misipawistik Cree Nation Health Authority Doula program. With initiatives like MCN Health Authority’s Prenatal Doula Program being implemented, newer generations, and future generations are gifted with traditional knowledge and teachings passed on by community Elders. Younger generations coming up through the Doula program, and re-connecting parents, all benefit from this healing space.
Oskawāsis (first-year) Cree Teachings Calendar
The final creative output for this project is a calendar wheel of oskawāsis (first-year) traditional Cree teachings. The purpose and significance of my final output is providing a calendar of teachings for the MCN Health Authority Prenatal Doula program, built off teachings and context shared by community knowledge keepers, Elders, and community members, reflecting all shared resources from the kiwētotētan working group members.
Community Engagement Initiative
Siena traveled to Misipawistik Cree Nation several times over the summer, spending two weeks in community and planning 3 events with the MCN Prenatal Doula program. As a mom from community, Siena was able to participate in ceremony, community building activities and the reclamation of traditional teachings, all alongside mothers in the program. Read more here!
Read Siena’s Blog: Breaking through Barriers with Belonging and Reconnection to the Land: Misipawistik Cree Nation
Bio
Siena Rose Cook (she/her) is a student at the University of Manitoba. She is a mother to two young kids, an Indigenous birth doula and working towards a bachelor of midwifery. Siena is extremely passionate about helping expectant parents along their pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood journeys.
Keywords
Indigenous Doula, Challenges of Western Systems, Revitalizing Indigenous Birthing Care in Canada, Human Rights, Holistic Health, Cree Education, Land Based Education, Indigenous Rights, Indigenous Birthing, Equity, Birth Rights, Indigenous Education